VALA2020 seeks to provide the opportunity for participants to safely learn, network and enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual human respect.
- VALA recognises a shared responsibility to create and sustain that environment for the benefit of all.
- VALA is committed to ensuring that our conference program, event space, and community of participants are accessible to anyone that wants to participate in a welcoming, safe environment that is mindful of potential participation barriers.
- VALA has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment.
VALA2020 is supported by a number of facilities and services that contribute to an inclusive and accessible conference. These include:
- Gender neutral bathrooms
- Pronoun stickers
- Quiet space
- Prayer rooms
- Wheelchairs
- Parents’ rooms
- Audio assistance
Learn more about these options below.
Gender Neutral Bathrooms
Gender neutral bathrooms are located in the Exhibition Hall, close to the EPoster area. They are signed to indicate either Gender Neutral with Cubicles or Gender Neutral with Cubicles and Urinals. There is an additional gender neutral cubicle located in the Courtyard Foyer adjacent to the Courtyard Rooms.
If you prefer to use gendered facilities, these are available in the Exhibition Hall between Booth 38 and Pod 15, or in the Concurrent Foyer adjacent to the Courtyard Rooms.
Pronoun Stickers
Pronoun stickers are available at the Registration Desk as an optional add-on to name badges. Pre-printed stickers are available for Him/His, Her/Hers, or They/Theirs. Blank stickers are available to personalise other options.
Quiet Space
VALA2020 is pleased to provide a quiet space for all attendees.
Location: Hospitality Suite 8, Level 1
| Times: | 8.30am – 5.30pm Tuesday 11 February |
| 8.30am – 5.30pm Wednesday 12 February | |
| 7.30am – 5.30pm Thursday 13 February |
The Quiet Space is available to work, think, relax and step away from the busy-ness of VALA2020. Talking is discouraged in this space. You can listen to headphones and are welcome to use computers, phones and other devices if they have their sound muted and you don’t have a voice conversation through them.
If you and someone else in the Quiet Space want to chat, please leave the room. If others are talking or making noise in the Quiet Space, and you are comfortable reminding them of our expectations in this room, please do so. Otherwise please ask the Registration Desk for assistance.
Prayer Rooms
The MCEC offers separate female and male prayer rooms including washing facilities with a gender neutral prayer space also available. For access to any of these spaces, please see the MCEC Customer Service Team in the Goldfields Concourse.
Wheelchairs
A complimentary wheelchair service is available at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a daily, first come first served basis. Visitors can pre-book a wheelchair by contacting Customer Service on +61 3 9235 8310 or by emailing customerservice@mcec.com.au.
The following information is required:
- Date and time the wheelchair is required.
- Name of the borrower and contact telephone number.
- Preferred collection location (Convention Centre or Exhibition Centre)
Collection is from the designated Customer Service Desk. Upon collection the MCEC will require some form of identification. Wheelchairs can only be used within the venue.
Parents’ Rooms
Parents’ rooms are located adjacent to the Customer Service Desk in the Convention Centre. These rooms include a microwave, baby change tables, and breastfeeding and toilet facilities. To gain access, please advise the Customer Service Team.
Audio Assistance
Most meeting rooms within the Convention Centre are equipped with a hearing assistance system. VALA2020 delegates and guests can borrow a lanyard style infrared receiver which will work directly with hearing aids fitted with a T switch or can be fitted with standard aux headphones. Visitors can pre-book a receiver by contacting customer service on +61 3 9235 8310 or emailing customerservice@mcec.com.au.
The following information is required:
- Date and time the receiver is required.
- Which rooms you plan to use the receiver (this service is not available in some rooms).
- Name of the borrower and contact telephone number.
Units can be collected from the Convention Centre Customer Service Desk. Upon collection the MCEC will require some form of identification.
Access and Inclusion Statement
INTRODUCTION
VALA holds professional conferences and events to enable its members to stay on the cutting edge of developments and trends in library technology. To provide all participants – members and other attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff and volunteers – the opportunity to benefit from these events, VALA is committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, harassment-free environment for everyone. We define Access and Inclusion as creating a space that provides opportunities for the VALA2020 community and aims to remove barriers to full participation in VALA2020.
OUR GOAL
VALA2020 seeks to provide the opportunity for participants to safely learn, network and enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual human respect. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment and we make no exceptions for discriminatory, harassing, or negative behaviour. We recognise a shared responsibility to create and sustain that environment for the benefit of all. We are committed to ensuring that our conference program, event space, and community of participants are accessible to anyone that wants to participate in a welcoming, safe environment that is mindful of potential participation barriers.
HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE AN ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE CONFERENCE
We believe we have created an environment that fosters inclusivity and accessibility by:
- Creating a conference committee that includes a diverse group of people to represent the perspectives of our community in every step of the decision-making process, including the development of an inclusive and well-rounded conference program.
- Ensuring VALA2020 is held in an event space that is accessible and assistance is available when required.
- Guaranteeing papers are published in an open online space and presentations are recorded to enable participants to access materials from the conference in their own time or location.
- Establishing a comprehensive, enforced Code of Conduct that outlines our values and expectations regarding harassment, discrimination, and inclusion.
- Allowing people to choose if they wish to be photographed or recorded and ensuring their choices are respected and observed.
- Expecting all participants, including event exhibitors, speakers, and committee members, to not engage in any discriminatory or harassing behaviours in all digital and physical spaces and places associated with VALA2020. This includes bars, restaurants and hotels where delegates may be gathered during the week.
- Nominating a Duty Officer for each day of the event. The Duty Officer is the first point of contact for reporting any incident where harassment may exist. The Duty Officer will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, and may consult with and engage other conference/event staff, leaders and legal counsel as appropriate.
Please read VALA’s full Code of Conduct.